Upgraded insulin system is trialled

An upgraded wireless insulin pump is being trialled for the first time in the UK at King’s College Hospital in London.

Wearable devices have been available for some time but the handset, which controls the timing and amount of insulin, has been upgraded, making it more user friendly.

The tubeless device is attached to the wearer’s body, and the handset is now touchscreen with a simple interface, much like a smartphone, allowing users to discreetly administer the required levels of insulin. The device can provide up to three days of insulin delivery without the need for daily injections.

Dr Pratik Choudhary, Consultant in Diabetes at King’s College Hospital said: “We’re proud to be the first centre in the UK to offer this new device, which will help expand choice available for people with diabetes, including those on multiple daily injections who are using or considering the use of insulin pump therapy.”

I’ve been using a wireless insulin pump for seven years and it has had a huge impact on my quality of life – I can just get on with my daily routine Ben Smith

Ben Smith from Streatham is the first person at King’s to use the new insulin pump. The 37-year-old finance worker, who has completed ultramarathons and will be running in the 2020 London Marathon, has been cared for by the diabetes team at King’s for the last 10 years.

Talking about the device he said: “I’ve been using a wireless insulin pump for seven years and it has had a huge impact on my quality of life – I can just get on with my daily routine.

“The upgraded system is just like a mobile phone so programming my meals is more intuitive and user-friendly than before. The data collected will help the team at King’s to monitor my condition and allow me to continue managing my diabetes.

“The diabetes service at King’s is second to none. It’s progressive and has offered me innovative solutions to manage my condition and lead an active, healthy lifestyle.”

King’s runs the largest insulin pump service in the UK and has long been at the forefront of bringing the latest technology to people with diabetes. In 2015, King’s trialled an implantable blood sugar monitor that can stay in the body for up to five months.